Posted on 02/19/2007 7:28:12 AM PST by Alex Murphy
We hear it from some religious pulpits, and we think it’s the ‘gospel’ truth. But the real truth is you never really know what a Catholic believes, unless you are one. Unfortunately the majority religion of Congress is Catholic, but you’d never know by the legislation delivered.
Currently, well over 100 members of Congress claim to be Catholic. Catholicism has five “non-negotiables” which are inherently evil. Those include abortion, euthanasia, same-sex marriage, cloning, and embryonic stem cell research(not adult stem cell research). Those few tend to eliminate a number of congress people from the practice of Catholicism. A few of the well known are Pelosi, Kennedy, Kerry, Murtha, etc., etc…
The real question is how anybody can legislate for the above 5 “non-negotiables”, go directly against Catholic teaching, and still consider themselves not automatically ‘excommunicated’. You might still be Catholic by birth, but you can no longer receive sacraments until you recant your wrongdoings. But so many that call themselves ‘Catholic’ renounce Catholic teaching in what they do, and what they legislate.
Many other items can be evil, but the five “non-negotiables” are evil all of the time. For instance, killing would not be evil if done with the intention of saving a family member or neighbor from certain death. But abortion is always evil, and the act eliminates a life.
Other items that many ‘Catholics’ seem to have problems with are: 1)graven images, 2)‘Mary’ worship, 3)Confession, 4)calling Catholics ‘Christian’, and 5)the Real Presence, just to name a few.
In a nutshell, Catholics never worship ‘graven images’. They have many religious statues and relics they venerate because of their representation. But every religious item is symbolic of something that should be respected.
The common misconception that “Mary” is worshipped is something that doesn’t seem to go away. Mary is never worshipped, and has always said that her Son is God, who must receive all the worship. Her unique qualities--sinless, post-death appearances reiterating that the only way to heaven is through her Son, holy enough to bear God, and from her mediation had countless miracles performed.
Even other Christians say that they don’t need priests to which they confess their sins. But they seem to forget Christ telling His apostles that “whatever sin they forgive will be forgiven, and whichever sin they held bound will be held bound”.
Catholics believe that Christ died for our sins, raised from the dead, and is actually God. So a Catholic is Christian.
The Real Presence, or the Eucharist, is something dictated by Christ. He didn’t say that the bread and wine was just a reminder of his body and blood. He said once consecrated, it was his body and blood. He said this in “John” six times alone. He didn’t go after all those that bolted because they didn’t believe, as they considered this cannibalism. He didn’t say, “No, I didn’t mean literally—I was only speaking figuratively.”
Remember He said that His “church” would prevail(33 AD)? It’s interesting that other Christian religions decided 1500 years later that they didn’t like that ‘interpretation’. They wanted to form another Christian religion, with a different interpretation. One has to ask oneself, “Why has only the Catholic Church been around since Christ existed? Why does it seem to be the only religion accused of pedophilia, and castigated by the media? Why are some Catholic politicians voting against Catholic teaching? Why are some Catholics actually voting for those politicians?”
Bottom line, we have to trust politicians who are true to their faith. We have to trust Catholics who vote their faith. The next time a politician ‘claims’ Catholicism, is it true? As a Catholic, one is obliged to vote their faith.
Politicans are elected to represent voters. If the Catholic Church was successful in convincing voters on the 'non-negotiables' then they would not have to depend on politicans to do their job. Voters would see things as they do.
BTW Have Catholics heard any homilies on shacking up or gay relationships or can the increase of these relationships be attributed to the Church's silence. I have heard homilies on 'drinking' but never on drugs. Silence is not golden.
"Currently, well over 100 members of Congress claim to be Catholic."
Big deal. I am not impressed with the morals as practiced by many (Catholic) members of Congress. They just give the Church a bad name. Let's start with the sin of theft a.k.a excessive taxation.
The question of Catholics in Congress should not have been brought up - after all we are NOT a Christian nation. Ask the ACLU.
How is it they keep getting re-elected?
Do they not still get a majority of the Catholic votes in their districts and states? Are those Catholics who contiune to re-elect these apostates not culapable themselves?
My padre has been very direct both in the Mass and outside of it at meetings and in gatherings.
Abortion, drugs, status of marriage, and lifestyles.
The cafeteria is closed.
Vivat Jesus!
No argument here.
This is badly skewed by current controversy. Many other non-negotiables like murder, theft, etc. I detest recasting religion in terms of politics where it is by Jim Wallis , Jimmy Carter or this author.
Our padre is a difficult man to like, but he is our pastor, he heads up 2 parishes, he is a very strong supporter of Catholic doctrine, and we have been directed here by the Lord, so we shall support him every way we can.
He included a very detailed note about the requirements of Lent, and a complete timetable, in yesterday's bulletin.
And he has very directly stated several times that while politics and support for a political party are not to be addressed in Church, we are to pray and to think about what each politician holds dear, represents and is likely to do while in office.
Don't get me started about the so-called Orthodox Christian legislators! I wish the whole lot would just call themselves by some other name since it appears they practice some other faith.
To them salvation means they are baptized and they nominally believe some of the Church's teachings. They rely on a belief in purgatory which will let them atone for their sins after death and so they live conscience free lives thinking that in the end, no matter what kind of sin they practice, they will ultimately make it into heaven, not because they were obedient to Christ, but because of the prayers of the saints and the indulgences of their relatives.
That is my impression.
It becomes quite obvious on Ash Wednesday.
As with all politicians, they are a true reflection of their constituency.
Part of the problem is that homilies are supposed to tie the 3 readings to one's life. So, unless there is something specific that ties to some of the big problems, it is not mentioned. I think 'sermons' used to be different. While I think the purpose of the homily is quite important, you do make a good point.
Yes, most likely. Sadly, many Catholics are under the impression that you can be pro-choice and a faithful Catholic. I hold the American Bishops and their squishy positions at fault. Sigh...
You misunderstand the use of "non-negotiables". It refers to what a Catholic MUST accept to be truly Catholic and in real communion with Rome and the Catholic Church. These are the more 'controversial' positions, I suppose. I mean, all Christians believe that murder is a sin, and so forth.e
Your impression isn't really grounded in fact. In fact, it's been repeated time and time again on this very forum, by Catholics.
I use the term "squishy" all the time to refer to certain theological positions. Bravo that someone else is using it, too :D
Yes, some of them appear not only squishy but swishy as well.
God's Rottweiler appears to be cleaning house, not only from a theological point of view...
I suspect that most of the Catholics who post on this forum are better versed in the Catechism than most of those who vote for abortion propenents. However, most of the Catholics that I personally know have very little knowledge of the Bible, believe they are saved because they have been baptized and go to mass not because they are there to worship God, but because they are obligated, believing that avoiding the mass could mean that they lose their salvation.
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